Jake Watts, a 29-year-old electrician from Stanford-le-Hope, Essex, was diagnosed with a rare cancerous skull tumour after what began as a suspected ear infection. The condition, identified as chondrosarcoma, led to a 16-hour operation and ongoing proton beam therapy.
From ear infection to tumour diagnosis
In early 2023, Jake noticed his hearing fading in his right ear and was given antibiotics for a suspected ear infection, but his symptoms did not improve. It was only when an optician spotted abnormal blood vessels and pressure behind his right eye that he was referred for an MRI scan, which revealed the rare cancerous growth.
Specialists at Queen's Hospital in Romford identified the issue as chondrosarcoma, a rare cancerous bone tumour, growing from his skull and into his brain. Doctors also believed its location explained why his hearing had worsened.
Emergency during anniversary trip
Before his treatment plan could begin, an emergency struck during a September 2024 camping trip with his partner, Chloe March, who was pregnant at the time. Jake said: "On the last day of the trip, I woke with this weird pain in my head, which kept getting worse. I started being sick loads, in a lot of pain, and then I couldn't see."
He spent five days in hospital receiving steroids to control a bleed. While there, he suffered a heart attack, which he says was caused by a sudden surge in blood pressure linked to the bleed. Jake said: "The nurses told me after that if I had been seen a second later, I would have gone into cardiac arrest."
Major surgery and complications
In October 2024, he underwent a biopsy, and surgery was scheduled. Surgeons removed around 70% of the tumour during a 16-hour operation, but could not take all of it because it had become entangled with nerves and extended onto the brain stem. A further procedure was required to remove additional tissue to enable radiotherapy.
While these surgeries were happening, the couple were also dealing with a house move and the arrival of their daughter, Orla Ann Watts. Even after surgery, complications continued when Jake's head wound failed to heal, and he began leaking brain fluid, forcing him back to the hospital for treatment to reduce pressure so the wound could close properly.
Proton beam therapy and fundraising
Jake has since begun proton beam therapy, an advanced form of radiotherapy designed to target the remaining cancer. He has been travelling by train to University College London Hospital since starting the course in July, as he is unable to drive during treatment. The family says the next steps will be determined after his next scans assess how well the radiotherapy has worked.
Alongside the health battle, the couple are fundraising because Jake has run out of sick leave and cannot work, while Chloe is on maternity leave and they are trying to cover mortgage payments on a single income while caring for their 10-month-old daughter. An online page was set up to "help ease some of the stress". Emily Smith, who set up the page, wrote: "No matter what life throws at them, they are always laughing and so positive. Even while fighting cancer, Jake continues to put everyone else before himself, a true reflection of the man he is."
